Chapter 52
"Touch me freely. It's yours anyway."
I'd known all along that Yoo Seol-ah had been harboring the incident from her battle with Kairos deep in her heart ever since it happened. That's why I'd deliberately avoided mentioning it until now. But seeing her bring it up first—and from her own mouth—I vaguely realized some shift had occurred in her feelings. I couldn't read Yoo Seol-ah's heart precisely, but one thing was clear: it wasn't just the alcohol talking.
With a wish to ease my guilt even a little, I replied lightly but with genuine sincerity.
"...Thanks."
Yoo Seol-ah's calm words of gratitude. Then she stopped right there and kissed me. Just a feather-light brush of lips, parting almost instantly. We'd kissed plenty before, but this pure expression of affection—not in the heat of sex—sent a sudden rush of heat through me.
We both naturally stepped apart to cool off as we walked, only for Yoo Seol-ah to pull me moments later toward the bus stop.
Bus stops don't have to be on a main road, sure, but one smack in the middle of surrounding buildings? No way.
The moment suspicion flickered, Yoo Seol-ah—still arm-in-arm—halted again. Her finger pointed casually at the adjacent building.
"My legs hurt a bit. Can't we rest here?"
"......"
...So many things I wanted to say. For one, "Polo" didn't ring any bells as to what the place was, and Yoo Seol-ah didn't get aches like muscle pain unless she was actually wounded. Plus, it was starting to feel like the bus stop was never the plan. But pushing back now would mean endless teasing later—my instincts screamed it—so I just nodded silently.
Since she wanted to "rest," it had to be a motel. Fancy exterior, impressively large building.
No one inside as we entered—just a big panel dominating the space. Touchscreen for picking rooms, obviously? I stood there a bit dumbfounded by the novelty, but Yoo Seol-ah looked equally lost.
You dragged us in...
"Y-you're the one who said to rest here."
"H-how would I know? I've never been!"
True enough. Motels weren't exactly on our radar. "Love hotel" might even sound more familiar—the Japanese term we knew better.
But kiosks are everywhere these days, so we adapted fast. Yoo Seol-ah snatched the touch pen from its holder, pulled up the room list, and photos of various options filled the screen.
They weren't all identical? Even standard rooms varied in decor, size, vibe. Still, standard meant standard—no major layout differences.
After a quick scan, another list popped into view: [Concept].
Two little letters, but impossible to ignore. Yoo Seol-ah's pen hovered right over it, clearly debating.
"...Just checking what's available..."
"......"
I stayed silent, but she muttered the excuse to herself and tapped Concept Rooms anyway.
The sizable building meant plenty of options. Started tame—a massive cypress tub room, or Japanese inn style—but scrolling revealed everything: classroom, hospital, prison, full-wall mirrors, even subway.
Suspicious ones alternated with intriguing, making it fun to browse. Soundproof karaoke or arcade-packed rooms piqued interest. The wildest? Camping car room—full outdoor setup under a glass ceiling for that authentic camping vibe.
"......Any catch your eye?"
I borrowed the pen and clicked one.
"How about this."
"Hey, you for real!?"
"Kidding..."
Yoo Seol-ah recoiled in horror at the classroom theme. Obviously a joke. It was too late for overnights anyway—not ideal for actual sleep, just browsing.
She shot me a half-glare, voice tinged with embarrassment, but pressed on stubbornly.
"...And that one's for later, when I wear it...?"
A throwaway line, yet here was firm confirmation on the school uniform cosplay. Smiling now, I selected the real pick: that first cypress tub room.
Hinoki bath scored massive points, plus the cozy Japanese interior and king bed—it was decided in my mind on sight.
"I've been eyeing the hinoki bath too."
She smashed the lodging button, swiped her card without glancing at the price, and beat me to speaking.
"I suggested it, so I'm paying."
"...Got it."
Elevator to the sixth floor, card key unlocked the door.
"Bigger than it looks."
"Yeah."
Interior matched the sleek exterior—luxuriously upscale. The bathroom was the star: nearly room-sized.
After a quick tour, Yoo Seol-ah dove onto the bed like a giddy kid.
"Seol-ah, at least shower first."
Face buried, she twisted her head slightly.
"...Not sleeping. Didn't come here just for that, did I?"
"......"
Scratch the kid comment. I'd half-anticipated an overnight, but tonight's Yoo Seol-ah felt utterly unrestrained. Even factoring in the buzz, saying that without blushing was way off her usual script.
Forcing down my quickening pulse, I headed back to the bathroom.
"...Filling the tub?"
"Yeah. I'll chill a sec."
Drawer opened: bath salts galore, as expected for a hinoki feature.
Water running, tub half-full—I dumped in my favorite brand. A quick stir turned it pale pink, rosemary scent blooming thickly.
Footsteps soon followed; Yoo Seol-ah slipped in.
"Whoa... water always like this?"
"Nah, bath salts."
"...Nice touch."
She patted my back, grabbed two toothbrushes, dotted toothpaste on one, and offered the other.
"Here."
Even her lispy pronunciation from biting the brush felt adorable. Terminal case.
Brushing side-by-side gave this oddly real married-couple vibe.
Eyed a switch by the tub's frosted glass. Curious, I hit it—glass cleared instantly.
...Now that's serious. Bed had full tub view.
Back to bed post-brush, we stared silently at the tub. Water hit perfect level—entry time.
But undressing was step one, and sitting primly at the bed's edge stalled everything.
Finally, Yoo Seol-ah steeled herself, peeling off socks slowly.
Socks coming off looked weirdly sexy. Was I the pervert here?
"...Don't stare. You too..."
"......"
I ditched my vest onto a chair, but tearing eyes from her undressing? Torture.
"...Zipper in back, please."
"On it."
Dress style, yeah. Lifted her hair, unzipped neck to lower back—flawless white skin gleamed.
"...Thanks."
Couldn't gawk forever; off came my shirt and pants.
Fewer layers for me, but by pants' end, she was fully bare—one arm over chest, other at thighs.
"...G-going in first."
Tipsy haze fading post-brush, she stuttered and scurried to the bathroom, wobbly enough to worry.
Glass showed her easing into the water fully.
I followed; her gaze scanned my lower half, freezing micro-seconds.
"......"
"......"
No hiding the obvious state, so I slipped in wordlessly, settling opposite.
One arm failed to fully cup her breast, floating teasingly erotic in the water.
"...Huuu..."
Deep breath, hands dropped; she glided closer—slow, steady.
Sat beside, small hand turned my head. Faces a whisper apart. My head burned—not solely the water's heat, I was sure.
Chuu— Another light peck from her. Blushing furiously, eyes locked, then she crashed lips rougher, making up for earlier restraint.
Her small, soft tongue tangled quick, delivering heady pleasure.
"Nnchup... Chuup... Fhaaa......"
Eyes glazing already from the deep kiss. But determined, lips barely parted for air.
"Chup... Hnngh!... Chok..."
Untouched elsewhere, yet her aroused whimpers echoed softly.
Kiss alone stimulated plenty; hands stayed put. But she snatched my wrist mid-lock, guiding to her breast.
Her words scorched my brain hotter.
"Haaa... Don't hover like that... If you wanna touch, go ahead. It's yours anyway..."